According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to add Max Pacioretty before the start of this season.

Pacioretty turns 36 in November and spent last season with the Washington Capitals, recording 23 points in 47 games. He also added one assist in four playoff games.

There was plenty of interest in Pacioretty, as the Detroit Red Wings were reportedly in the mix for his services, via The Athletic’s Arthur Staple.

The New Canaan, CT native has dealt with some serious injuries throughout the last few years of his career including a broken foot, tearing his Achilles twice and didn’t make his 2023-24 season debut with the Capitals until early January.

Should a deal be finalized with Pacioretty, either on a one-year term or perhaps even a professional tryout agreement, the veteran winger will be joining the Maple Leafs and be looking to fight for a spot among the top-nine forwards.

Toronto doesn’t have a ton of depth on the wing so the internal competition at training camp and throughout the preseason will certainly be a storyline to follow as head coach Craig Berube looks to construct a balanced lineup to start the season. Berube’s made it very clear if you’re looking for minutes, you better be ready to work hard, game in and game out.

The Maple Leafs were busy on Tuesday re-signing restricted free-agent forward Nick Robertson. Seravalli also reported after the signing that a trade is still very possible for the young winger, who asked for a trade earlier in the offseason.

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving currently has just over $400,000 in cap space to navigate after Robertson signed, so adding Pacioretty, as Seravalli points out, will take some financial creativity. It’s quite possible trading Robertson could open up the door to add Pacioretty on a one-year contract.